Community Appreciates Progress on Rajouri–Poonch Highway and Bathuni Bridge

Rajouri, April 8 (NationPress) Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is making remarkable progress in enhancing the vital Jammu–Rajouri–Poonch Highway.

This ambitious initiative involves widening the 180 km highway, constructing five tunnels, and building several bridges to improve road safety, decrease travel time, and ensure all-weather connectivity.

A significant feature of this project is the 250-metre Bathuni Bridge, which has already achieved 40 percent completion.

"Work is ongoing continuously using modern machinery and skilled labor. We are confident that the bridge will be open for traffic by December," stated project structural engineer Vishav Mehra.

The upgraded highway is anticipated to stimulate economic activities, facilitate civilian movement, and strengthen strategic infrastructure in the border region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Local community members have expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the central government and the BRO for their steadfast commitment to the region’s development.

In a conversation with IANS, resident Gulzar Ahmed from Rajouri remarked, "The highway we are now on used to be a hotspot for accidents. It was a narrow road, but today it is a wide, well-constructed highway. Look at the entire stretch from Jammu to Srinagar—massive highways have been constructed. The central government has built extensive roads, and where four lanes were necessary, they’ve provided four lanes.

"We never imagined such broad roads, open spaces, and extensive highways in Rajouri-Poonch, let alone large tunnels. There are nearly four tunnels from Jammu to Poonch, with three already finalized. The construction of the fourth tunnel in Poonch is also nearing completion.

"I never thought a train connected to Delhi would reach Srinagar, but now, thanks to the central government, we have a substantial bridge in Reasi district. Imagine, a train running across that bridge from Srinagar to Delhi. We are thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for this tremendous gift to the people of J&K."

Karan Shreyal, another local, also commended the development.

Shreyal mentioned, "Jammu and Poonch are now integrated into a vast road network across Jammu and Kashmir.

"Look at the Pir Panjal tunnel, where I’m standing. Its construction was completed swiftly. The commitments made by the central government for Jammu and Kashmir have been realized. People never envisioned tunnels being built here, yet the government has reached even the most remote mountains.

"This initiative is steering Jammu and Kashmir in a new direction, establishing it as a significant region in India. The second-highest railway bridge in the world, the Chenab Rail Bridge, is located right here in our own Jammu and Kashmir.

"The railway service from Katra to Kashmir is a noteworthy accomplishment. Previously, Kashmir was accessible for only seven months a year, but now, with the new infrastructure, it remains operational throughout the year. In Ladakh, efforts are underway to build a major route through the district tunnel, ensuring year-round accessibility."

Shreyal further added, "Traveling from Poonch to Jammu used to take six hours, but once the road is fully completed, it will take just 3 to 4 hours. From Rajouri, the trip to Jammu will be reduced to about 2.5 hours if speed limits are optimized. This is a remarkable achievement, and we sincerely thank the Government of India, Prime Minister Modi, and Minister Nitin Gadkari for these monumental developments."

The ongoing infrastructure projects are not merely about connectivity; they signify a transformative era for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The improved road network will foster economic growth, enhance emergency response times, and reinforce the region’s strategic security framework.